Seven Myths and Seven Paradoxes of Servant Leadership by Dan R. Ebener

Leadership Defined COMMON GOAL FOLLOWERS LEADER

Leadership Studies Michigan: One continuum between task and relationship (1950s).Michigan: One continuum between task and relationship (1950s). TaskRelationship

Achieving Results Developing Relationships Dual Focus

Leadership Through People Skills Q1DominantHostile Q2SubmissiveHostile Q4DominantWarm Q3SubmissiveWarm DOMINANCE(Assertive) SUBMISSION(Passive) HOSTILITY(Unresponsive) WARMTH(Responsive)

Self- LeadershipSelf- Leadership One-on-oneOne-on-one TeamsTeams OrganizationsOrganizations CommunityCommunity Transformational Leadership Settings

Servant Leadership What is it anyway?What is it anyway? Greenleaf: Motivated to serve, then to lead.

Words of Jesus “The greatest one must be a servant” (Matt. 23:11).“The greatest one must be a servant” (Matt. 23:11). “Whoever wants to be first must become the servant of all” (Mark 9:33-36). “Whoever wants to be first must become the servant of all” (Mark 9:33-36). Last Supper reminder (Luke 22: 24-27).Last Supper reminder (Luke 22: 24-27).

Servants, not Lords Leading like Jesus: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lorded over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” (Mt 10: 25-27). Leading like Jesus: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lorded over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” (Mt 10: 25-27).

Servant Leader Behaviors Recognizing the gifts, talents and efforts of others.Recognizing the gifts, talents and efforts of others. Serving the needs and interests of others.Serving the needs and interests of others. Empowering members of the parish.Empowering members of the parish.

Organizational Citizenship Behaviors Helping Helping Initiating Initiating Participating Participating Self- Developing Self- Developing Cheerleading Cheerleading Sportsmanship Sportsmanship

“ You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lorded over them… Not so with you. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” (Mt 10: 25-27)

Myth 1: Servant Leadership is soft.Servant Leadership is soft.

Paradox 1: Servant Leadership isServant Leadership is neither hard nor soft.

The Servant as Leader Motivated by mission, vision and values.Motivated by mission, vision and values. Place themselves at the service of others.Place themselves at the service of others. Willing to share power.Willing to share power.

Myth 2: Servant Leaders cannot hold positions of authority.Servant Leaders cannot hold positions of authority.

Paradox 2: Servant Leadership is not a position, but Servant Leaders can hold a position of authority.Servant Leadership is not a position, but Servant Leaders can hold a position of authority.

Myth 3: Servant Leaders convince people to follow their vision.Servant Leaders convince people to follow their vision.

Paradox 3: Servant Leaders create a sense of shared vision.Servant Leaders create a sense of shared vision.

Myth 4: Servant Leaders are selfless.

Paradox 4: The Servant Leader is humble, not selfless.

Conflict My needs and interests. Your needs and interests.

Myth 5: Servant Leaders do not get great results.Servant Leaders do not get great results.

Organizational Citizenship Behaviors HelpingHelping InitiatingInitiating ParticipatingParticipating Self-DevelopingSelf-Developing CheerleadingCheerleading SportsmanshipSportsmanship

Paradox 5: Paradox 5: Servant Leaders are ambitious, but direct their ambition toward the organization, not themselves.

Level Five Leaders : – Personal humility and professional will to drive results. – Window and Mirror. Jim Collins, Good to Great

Myth 6: Myth 6: Servant Leaders are powerless. Servant Leaders are powerless.

Paradox 6: Servant Leaders gain power as they serve others.Servant Leaders gain power as they serve others.

Servant Leadership Service Power Power and Service

Myth 7: Servant Leaders do unto others what they would have others do unto them.Servant Leaders do unto others what they would have others do unto them.

Paradox 7: Servant Leaders practice both the Iron Rule and the Golden Rule. Servant Leaders practice both the Iron Rule and the Golden Rule.

Leadership Development The best test of leadership is not how many followers you lead but how many leaders you develop.The best test of leadership is not how many followers you lead but how many leaders you develop.

Servant Leadership is Par adoxical Sharp contrast to “Pedestal” Leadership. Sharp contrast to “Pedestal” Leadership. Followers will be stronger, healthier, more autonomous. Followers will be stronger, healthier, more autonomous.

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace, and a soul generated by love.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Thanks.